Window washing apparatus



mm. 25, 1955 w. H. WIEST, JR 2,700,171

WINDOWWASHING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1951 5/ as d5 20 a pu a x x yw w c 1: c

W A A IN V EN TOR.

w A ATTURNEYS.

United States Patent WENDUW WASHENG APPARATUS Waldo H. Wiest, in, Chicago, Ill.

Application November Zll, 1951, Serial No. 257,273

3 Claims. (Cl. 15-244) This invention relates to a window washing apparatus, and more particularly it relates to an apparatus for washing the outside surface of a windowpane by remote control.

The inaccessibility of the outer surfaces of windowpanes has long presented a problem, since it is desired to clean both the outer and inner surfaces of windowpanes at frequent intervals. Because of the difficulty of washing the outer surfaces of windowpanes from the inside, large office buildings and the like generally have fixtures embedded in the casings of the windows to permit a worker to support himself on the outside of the windows during the washing operation. However, such fixtures are unsuitable for the use of the ordinary person, and therefore no provision is generally made for the washing of windows from the outside in houses or apartmerit buildings. As a result the outside of windows in residences is often cleaned less frequently than would otherwise be desirable.

Various types of remote control devices have been sug gested for use in overcoming the above problem. One type of such a device employs a magnetized controller sliding over the inner surface of the pane to direct the movements of a follower unit containing a magnetic member on the outer surface of the pane. While this approach would seem to have promise in facilitating the washing of the outer surfaces of windows, heretofore a practical and effective apparatus employing the magnetic control principle has not been developed. This is evidenced by the fact that there does not appear to be any apparatus of this type being sold commercially atthe present time, although the need for such as apparatus is as great as ever.

In areas where the air carries a relatively large amount of dirt, soot, etc., the outer surfaces of windowpanes become coated with a film of dirt and soot particles, which are difficult to remove in cleaning the windows. In most large cities, the windows approach this condition in a very short period of time. Therefore, in order to clean the outer surfaces of the windows it is necessary to scrub the surfaces vigorously with a sponge or cleaning pad while applying a copious amount of water or other cleaning solution. Furthermore, the sponge or scrubbing pad will become dirty rather quickly, and it is necessary to rinse the sponge or pad at frequent intervals.

The newer types of cleaning sponges, such as rubber sponges, and cellulose sponges, have proved to be excellent for cleaning windows, but they are not readily adapted for incorporation in magnetic apparatus for cleaning windows. When the sponge is filled with water and a surface thereof is pressed firmly against the outer surface of the window, the sliding of the sponge over the pane surface develops a large amount of suction and friction, which interferes with the response of the spongeequipped follower to the magnetic controller. The magnitude of these forces may be so great that if the follower and the controller are locked together by very strong magnetic forces, the controller can only be moved with great difliculty and by the operator making considerable effort. if the magnetic forces locking the follower and the controller are somewhat weaker, it will be possible to move the controller relatively easily, but the follower will tend to fall behind the controller, and to eventually fall off of the outer surface upon being displaced a sulficient distance from the controller.

One of the most satisfactory methods of washing windows is to apply a copious quantity of clear wash water 1&6

to the surface of the window while thoroughly scrubbing the surface, and thereafter to dry the window with a squeegee. In other words, the complete cleaning of windows by this method requires that the washing operaion be followed by a drying operation. During the drying operation, it is a general practice to soak the sponge or cleaning pad to remove the accumulated dirt therein. However, heretofore apparatus for washing windows utilizing the magnetic principle have not been capable of being used to carry out this cleaning procedure.

it is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a window washing apparatus for washing the outer surface of a windowpane by sliding a magnetized controller over the inner surface of the pane to direct the movements of a follower unit capable of applying a copious amount of clear wash water to the outer surface while thoroughly scrubbing the surface without the development of either friction or suction to an extent interfering with the response of the follower to the controller. More specifically in this connection, it is' an object of this invention to provide a follower unit employing a sponge to scrub the outer surfaces of the windowpanes and to supply water to the surfaces during the washing operation, and to adapt the follower unit so that the sponge can be compressed a predetermined limited amount against the outer surface by the use of roller means, such as wheels and casters, to limit the compression of the sponge member and to facilitate the movement of the cleaning unit over the outer surface of the pane. It is a further object of this invention to provide a spouge'equipped follower unit in which the sponge is readily removable between cleaning operations so that it can be immersed in water and allowed to soak therein as desired. it is also an object of this invention to pro vide an assembly for use in washing and drying the outer surface of a windowpane in which a sponge member and a squeegee member can alternately be inserted for first washing and then drying the outer surface of the pane, so that a single assembly containing one magnetic element can be used for both operations. Further objects and advantages of. this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

This invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l. is a side elcvational view partly in section showing an apparatus for washing the outer surface of a windowpane constructed in accordance with this invention in operative position on a window; Fig. 2, a side elevational view taken in section along the central axis of the follower of Fig. 1 with a portion broken away to show the relation of one of the casters to the sponge member in the assembled structure; Fig. 3, a perspective View of the follower assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 with the sponge removed; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the controller of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a perspective view of a squeegee unit adapted for insertion in the follower assembly shown in Fig. 3 in place of the sponge member; and Fig. 6, a bottom view of the squeegee unit of Fig. 5.

For purpose of clarity in the following discussion, the orientation of the parts, the surfaces thereon, etc. will be specified with relation to the operative position of the apparatus on a pane of glass. For example surfaces of the members lying closer to the windowpane when the apparatus is in operative position thereon will be referred to as inner surfaces, while the surfaces of the members further away from the windowpane will be referred to as outer surfaces.

In the illustration given there is shown a magnetized controller designated generally at it (Figs. 1 and 4) adapted to slide over the inner surface of a windowpane. In Figure 1 controller 10 is shown in operative position against the inner surface of windowpane P. Controller 19 can be of any suitable type construction for bringing a magnetized member into sliding relation with a window pane, and for controlling the sliding movements of the magnetized member over the surface of the pane. The magnetized member can be either a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet, and if a permanent magnet is employed it can be either of the bar or horseshoetype. However, it has been found preferable to employ a controller having a permanently magnetized metal bar therein. For

example, controller is provided with a permanently magnetized bar 11. To facilitate the movement ofbar 11 over the surface of the windowpane, there is provided on the inner surface (which is the surface adjacent the windowpane when controller 10 is in operative position thereon) of bar 11 a slider pad 12, which is preferably of a material having a relatively low coetficient of friction with respect to glass, and which will not have any tendency to scratch the glass. For example, slider pad 12 can advantageously be constructed of a plastic material such as a polyethylene plastic.

To assist in shifting bar 11 on the windowpane, it is desirable to attach a. handle 13 to the outer surface thereof, and to adapt handle 13 to be grasped by the hand of the operator. While the handle 13 can be made in various shapes with satisfactory results, it has been found that when controller 10 contains a bar-type magnet that it is highly desirable to provide handle 13 with a downwardly extending portion 14 providing a pistol-grip. This enables the operator to exert additional leverage in shifting bar 11 about the windowpane. Thus, when a particularly dirty area of the outer surface of the windowpane is being washed it is possible to impart a substantially rotary motion to bar 11 through an arc of at least 180, which will in turn cause the washing unit on the outer surface of the window pane to execute a similar rotary or arcuate movement. This movement has been found much more effective in freeing particularly difficult areas of the outer surface of the pane of grime than by merely wiping over the surface with relatively long strokes. Handle 13 can be attached to bar 11 in any suitable manner. In the illustration given, handle 13 is provided at its upper end with laterally extending mounting flanges 15 and 16, as seen more clearly in Fig. 4. Bolts 17 have their heads counter-sunk within the inner surface of bar 11 and extend beyond the upper surface thereof and through mounting flanges 15 and 16. Knurled nuts 18 are threadedly received on the projecting ends of bolts 17 to detachably secure bar 11 to handle 13.

As shown more clearly in Figures 1, 2, and 3 a follower unit or assembly designated generally as 19 is provided for use in conjunction with controller 10. Follower 19 is shown in operative relation on the outer surface of windowpane P in Fig. 1 with a sponge member 20 received therein for washing the outer surface of the windowpane.

In the illustration given, follower 19 is provided with a bar of magnetic metal 21 to cooperate with bar 11 of controller 10. Bar 21 can be either a permanently magnetized metal bar, or a metal bar capable of becoming magnetized by induction from magnetized bar 11. Preferably, bar 21 is a permanently magnetized bar of iron, which is provided with a suitable protective coating to prevent it from rusting on contact with water. For example, bar 21 can be coated with a non-magnetic metal which is permeable to magnetic flux, such as chromium, tin, and copper. Preferably, bar 21 is protected by coating it with shellac or other liquid plastic or resinous material which will dry to form a protective coating thereon. It will be understood that in directing the movements of follower 19 by controller 10 when bar 21 is a pemanent magnet that it will be necessary to have the opposite poles of bars 11 and 21 adjacent each other to produce an attractionbetween the members.

In order to support bar 21 at a spaced distance from 'theouter surface of a windowpane while it is being shifted thereon, it has been found h-ighly advantageous to-providelrollers or wheels about the periphery of bar 21.

Preferablygthe supporting wheels are-swivel1y attached to provide casters so that bar 21 can be shifted in any direction on the outer surface of the windowpane with a minimum of friction. The wheels or casters can be =attached tobar-21in any suitable-manner. In the illustration givenfbar 21 is equipped with end plates -22 and .23 whi'chi are "secured to the ends of bar 21-by;rnetal screws 24. End plates 22 and 23 are provided without wardly (away from the outer surface of the windowpane) extending portions 25 and 26. Integrally connected to each end plate 22 and 23 is a pair of caster mounting flanges 27 and 28 extending from end plates 22 and 23 toward bar 21 and lying along each edge thereof so that the caster members 29 and 30 which are carried thereby 'will not prevent end plates 22 and 23 from being brought against the wood frame surrounding the windowpane dur mg the washing operation. In the illustration given, casters 29 and 30 include forked standards 29a and 30a having their upper ends swivelly connected respectively to flanges 27 and 28 and their lower ends pivotally receivlng axle members 29b and 30b on which wheels 29c and 300 are rotatably mounted.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 a sponge member 20 providing a fiat inner surface 20a with a centrally disposed recess 20b extending thereacross can be inserted between end plates 22 and 23 with bar 21 received within recess 20b so that sponge member 20 straddles bar 21. The width of recess 20b is increased near the ends thereof to provide additional space for receiving casters 29 and 30, as indicated more clearly in Fig. 2. Preferably, sponge 20 is mounted on bar 21 with flat inner surface 20a normally being at a slightly greater distance from bar 21 than the plate containing the rolling contact points of wheels 29c and 300 of casters 29 and 30. This is indicated most clearly in Fig. 2. By varying the depth of recess 20!: sponge 20 can be compressed a predetermined limited amount against the outer surface of the windowpane when wheels 29c and 300 are in rolling contact therewith. Thus, the friction and suction developed by the contact of sponge member 20 with the windowpane can be prevented from developing to an extent interfering with the response of follower 19 to controller 10. In other words, the inner surface 20a of sponge 20 can be pressed against the outer surface of the windowpane with sufiicient force to accomplish a thorough scrubbing of the surface without the development of an undue amount of friction or suction. Sponge member 20 can be composed of any suitable sponge material, such as cellulose sponge material, or rubber sponge material. By having the body of sponge member 20 relatively large, as in the illustration given, it can be made to hold a large amount of clear wash water for application to the outer surface of the windowpane during the Washing operation. As the water from the inner portions of sponge 20 is distributed on the surface of the windowpane additional water will be supplied from the outer portions of the sponge to the inner portions thereof so that the effective washing of even very dirty windowpanes can be prolonged until the entire pane is completely washed. Thus, in effect the outer portions of sponge member 20 provide a water reservoir for supplying additional water to the inner portions of the sponge during the washing operation.

Any suitable means can be provided for removably attaching sponge member 20 to bar 21. Preferably, the attachment means is disposed about sponge member 20 so as to hold the entire body thereof in a fixed relation to bar 21 except for the compression of the sponge when it is seated in operative relation on a windowpane. In the illustration given, this is accomplished by hingedly connecting strap 31 to the outer end of end plate 23 so that in its closed position it will extend across sponge 20 to end plate 22. The inwardly turned arcuate portion 32 of strap 21 cooperates with outer rolled edge 33 of end plate 22 to provide a snap lock, as seen more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. To assist in maintaining sponge 20 in fixed relation to bar 21, there is provided a backing plate 34 which lies just inwardly of strap 31 and has a central attachment U35 extending outwardly through slot 36 of strap 31.

Attachment U35 cooperates with slot 36 in locking plate 34 to strap31 when their members are in closed position, as shown in Figs. '1 and 2. Another purpose of attachment U35 is to provide a means for removably at- ,taching a safety cord 37, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1,

to follower 19., In the illustration given, the ends of cord 37 are equipped with spring tongue hook fasteners 38 so that one of the hook fasteners 38 can be attached to U35, as shown in Fig. 1, while the other hook fastener is secured toa similar attachment U39 on handle 13 of controller 10. Thug-cord 37 can be passed over the top or beneath theframe-surroun'ding a windowpaneduring the wash ng operation to guard against the possibility of follower 19 fa'llingfofi of the windowpane. .Since itis desired' to have the window substantially completely raised Instead of sponge 20 a squeegee member 41 of the type shown in Figs. 5 and 6 can be inserted in follower 19. Squeegee member 41 can be of any suitable construction adapted to cooperate with follower 19 in a manner similar to sponge 20 for completing the cleaning operation, and specifically for drying the glass after it has been washed by sponge 20. In the illustration given, squeegee member 41 includes a rectilinear frame member 42 having a recess 4-3 extending across the inner surface thereof adapted to receive bar 21. The end portions of recess 43 are preferably of increased width for receiving casters 29 and 39. This is seen more clearly in Fig. 6. Wiper blade members 4-1 are preferably attached to each side of frame member 42. if desired, wiper blades 44 can be provided with slots 45 for adjustable attachment to frame member 44 by means of shoulders 46 having wing nuts 47 on the projecting ends thereof.

The outer surface of frame member 42 is preferably provided with an attachment U48 adapted to be received within slot 36 so that safety cord 37 can be attached to follower 19 when it is carrying squeegee member 41.

Operation Sponge member 20 is saturated with water and then squeezed sufliciently dry to prevent dripping. Sponge member 28 is then inserted in follower 19 with the sponge recess receiving bar 21, and strap 31 is closed with backin-g plate 34 against the outer surface of the sponge. Safety cord 37 is then attached to follower 19 by snap hook fastener 38 into U35. The other end of safety cord 37 is then attached to U39 of controller 10, and follower 19 is placed against the out-er surface of a windowpane, while controller is placed against the inner surface of the windowpane with the magnetized bar 11 therein in attractive relation with bar 21. The window can then be raised or lowered so that the whole outer surface of the pane can be reached by follower 19. Protector 41 can be inserted between the sash and the casing to protect cord 37.

The inner surface a of sponge 20 is thus brought into washing relation with the outer surface of the windowpane by a slight compression of sponge 20, while further compression of the sponge is prevented by the contact of casters 29 and with the windowpane. It is thus possible to produce a contact between the inner surface 20a of sponge 20 which permits the outer surface of the windowpane to be thoroughly scrubbed without the development of either friction or suction to an extent interfering with the response of follow-er 19 to controller 10. The washing operation is carried out by sliding controller 10 about the inner surface of the windowpane to direct follower 19 over the outer surface of the pane. When the outer surface of the windowpane is not excessively dirty, the washing can be effectively carried out by causing follower 19 to move over the outer surface of the windowpane in relatively long sweeping strokes. However, if the outer surface is particularly dirty or if portions thereof are unusually difficult to clean, it is preferred to impart an arcuate or rotary motion to follower 19 by pivoting controller 10 through an arc of around 180 or greater. This can easily be done because of the provision of handle 13 with a pistol grip portion 14. The clear rinse water within sponge 2t) is fed from the outer portions thereof to the inner portions thereof for continuous application to the surface of the windowpane during the washing operation. Thus, it is possible to apply relatively copious amounts of clear rinse water to the entire surface of the pane being washed.

After completion of the washing operation on one pane, it is preferred to retrieve follower 19 from the outer surface of the pane and to remove sponge 26 therefrom. The sponge can then be bodily immersed in water and allowed to soak therein during the drying operation. For drying the outer surface of the windowpane, it is only necessary to insert squeegee member 41 within follower 19 in place of sponge 20. Since backing plate 34- is not required for use with squeegee member 41, it is removed prior to the insertion of the squeegee member. The wiper blades 44 of squeegee 41 are adjusted so that their lower edges will be in contact with the outer surface of the pane when casters 29 and 3t) are in rolling contact therewith. Here also as was the case when follower 19 carried sponge 20, plates 44 cooperate effectively with casters 29 and 30 to maintain a sufficient contact to assure a tho-rough drying of the window surface without an excessive amount of friction being developed.

The drying operation is carried out in a similar manner to the washing operation in that safety cord 37 is attached to U48 and follower 19 is: placed against the outer surface of the Window, While controller 10 is placed against the inner surface thereof in controlling relation to follower 19. It has been found preferable to begin at the top of the window and to move the controller from side to side across the window with the blades extending in generally vertical planes. As each successive strip of the window is dried, follower 19 can be slid downwardly into wiping relation with the next undried strip. After the bottom of the window has been reached, it may be desirable to pass follower 19 around the sides and top of the window with the blades against the supporting frame members of the window to remove the last traces of water at the edges of the window.

While in the foregoing specification a specific embodiment of this invention has been discussed in detail for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the details discussed herein can be varied widely without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for washing the outer surface of a windowpane by sliding a magnetized controller over the inner surface of said pane, a follower unit characterized by the capacity to apply a copious amount of clear wash water to said outer surface while thoroughly scrubbing said surface without the development of either friction or suction to an extent interfering with the response of said follower to said controller, comprising in combination a bar of magnetic metal, means including axle members carried by said bar for mounting wheels about said bar to support said bar at a spaced distance from said outer surface when said wheels are in contact therewith, wheel members rotatably mounted on said axle members, a sponge member providing a flat inner surface with a centrally disposed recess extending thereacross, said recess receiving said bar so that said sponge member straddles said bar with said flat inner surface normally being at a slightly greater distance from said bar than the plane containing the rolling contact points on said wheels, and fastening means disposed about said sponge member for removably attaching said sponge member to said bar, whereby said sponge can be compressed a predetermined limited amount against said outer surface when said wheels are in rolling contact therewith.

2. In an apparatus for washing the outer surface of a windowpane by sliding a controller having a permanent bar magnet therein over the inner surface of said pane, a follower unit characterized by the capacity to apply a copious amount of clear wash water to said outer surface while thoroughly scrubbing said surface without the de velopment of either friction or suction to an extent interfering with the response of said follower to said controller, comprising in combination a permanently magnetized metal bar corresponding in size to the bar magnet in said controller so that it can be brought into effective attractive relation therewith, means carried by said bar for mounting casters about said bar, casters swivelly connected to said mounting means supporting said bar at a spaced distance from said outer surface when said casters are in contact therewith, a slab of absorbent sponge ma terial providing a fiat inner surface with a centrally disposed recess extending thereacross, said recess receiving said bar so that said sponge member straddles said bar with said fiat inner surface normally being at a slightly greater distance from said bar than the plane containing the contact points on said wheels, and fastening means disposed about said sponge member for removably at taching said sponge member to said bar, whereby said sponge can be compressed a predetermined limited amount against said outer surface when said casters are in contact therewith.

3. An assembly for use in Washing and drying the outer surface of a windowpane in response to the movements of a magnetized controller over the inner surface of said pane, comprising a bar of magnetic metal, outwardly extending plate members affixed to the ends of said bar, both of said plate members providing caster mounting flanges along each edge of said bar, caster members swivelly connected to said flanges, and a strap member hingedly connected to the outer end portion of one of said end plates and adapted to cooperate with the outer end portion of the other of said end plates to provide a snap fastener so that a cleaning element can be secured within said assembly between said strap and said bar, whereby a sponge member and a squeegee member can alternately be inserted in said assembly for first washing and then drying the outer surface of said pane.

907,553 Anderson Dec. 22, 1908 8 Marlow May 15, 1928 Thatcher May 13, 1930 Heller Sept. 18, 1934 Kirby Nov. 27, 1934 DAndrea May 16, 1950 

